Interesting Take on Open Carry

[Red Oak]

I am not sure I agree with it, but it does provoke thought.

I am mostly recovered from a nasty virus that I caught from my six month old grandson. At times I was sleeping, or attempting to, 20 hours a day, I could handle necessary chores, but simply trying to avoid coughing enough to breath comfortably, left me weak, and feeling too tired to exert myself. Walking a couple of hundred yards was exhausting.

I had to go to the store a couple of times for off the shelf medicine and some ice cream, which I normally eat little of. I became acutely aware of how vulnerable I was. I could not move fast. I was so weak that a 12 year old girl could probably have taken me down. It is difficult to stay aware of the situation around you during a coughing spasm. I knew that my physical and mental faculties were severely degraded. It was hard to write even one article a day. Looking at it the next day, it was obvious that I was making grade school errors in spelling and grammar.

My mother had been the first one to tell me that growing old was not for sissies, and this seemed to be a precursor of times to come. With luck, it happens to the best of us.

It pushed me to think more about carrying in a degraded physical condition.

First, I decided that open carry was advantageous. My slow pace and weakened condition made me an obvious target for human predators. Better that they be deterred by the presence of a gun than have to try to draw while under physical attack. For the same reason, I moved the holster to a cross draw position, so that someone coming up behind me would have a much harder time grabbing the pistol and attempting a disarm. Another bonus was that it put the pistol between me and the shopping cart that I used as an aid in the grocery store. The shopping cart gave a little added protection and balance.

The bulge in the right front shirt pocket is a smart phone with the lens peeking out. It has excellent ability to record video/audio. A small Velcro tab keeps it from flying out of the pocket.

I tried a fannypack system, but it seemed extremely slow, and added minimal deterrent value, though it eliminated an obvious disarm.

At least one fannypack system is specifically designed for people in wheelchairs.

I do not claim to have discovered any secret, foolproof method to protect yourself when you are old, sick, and tired. There isn't any. But being armed gives you some chance. They do not call them "equalizers" for nothing.


©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.

[ann jusko]

Maybe it's just me, but I think an open carry would be the very first target in an attack. You'd have to be hyper-vigilant and on your toes constantly. Although I do want my daughter to open carry on the mountain in Arizona. Not so much for people, but for critters (big critters). They've re-introduced wolves there, but there are elk, mountain lions, coyotes, etc. And she walks 3 miles a day.

[millergrovesue]

Maybe it's just me, but I think an open carry would be the very first target in an attack. You'd have to be hyper-vigilant and on your toes constantly. Although I do want my daughter to open carry on the mountain in Arizona. Not so much for people, but for critters (big critters). They've re-introduced wolves there, but there are elk, mountain lions, coyotes, etc. And she walks 3 miles a day.

I agree.

[GFB]

I would want to be able to carry openly..though I would probably conceal sometimes, too.

I don't go to dicey areas, and I'm not looking to be Dirty Harry and have shoot outs with criminals.

I would carry primarily to demonstrate to the nation and the government, where the the power is supposed to be..in the hands of individuals.

[Red Oak]

It seems to me that the run of the mill criminal might be dissuaded from attacking if the intended victim had a visible weapon, but the hard core predator would just attack; I think I would want to conceal my weapon.

The thing that struck me most about the article is that the weak and infirm are the easiest targets for predators; and any reasonable thing that can be done to appear able to resist an attacker might prevent an attack. I am just not sure a visible firearm would be more benefit, than not. I know a reasonable person would be very polite to a person with a visible weapon; but the crazy ones might see it as an invitation.

The other thing about the article, is I found it sad that some sick and elderly don't have any family or friends around to help them.

[ralph]

just some info for the disabled , elderly . --- http://www.palmpistol.com/ --- Don't know if its even in production , just some info .